About the QPix 3.2 demo database


In version 3.2, the demo database was updated with the following functionality:

This document provides short descriptions for the menu commands and the functionality implemented in the demo database.

The demo database requires 4D 2004.x or later.


"File" menu

Open image...

Selects an image file and displays it in a simple image viewer window.

When viewing multi-page images, the plug-in area includes the page navigation widget.

The small (i) button at the top-right of the viewer window brings up the info window for the current image (see below).

The small (Q) button near the (i) button brings up the "Plug-in Area Properties" palette.

Open URL...

Similar to "Open image...", using a URL.

Directory Browser...

Opens a hierarchical view of the "Images" folder.

The directory browser window contains:

  • A thumbnail of the selected image.
  • A set of buttons that trigger the following actions on the selected image:
    • View image. Opens the image.
    • View image info. Opens the image info window.
    • Compare thumbnails. Opens the thumbnail window.
    • Filter image. Opens the filter window.
    • Import image. Creates a record in the [Images] table using user defined thumbnail options.

"Image" menu

View info...

Selects an image file and displays an image info window. The first page displays information about the image characteristics, and the second page lists all image tags.

The info window includes buttons for navigating within mutli-frame images, and a button for quickly opening the thumbnail window for the currect image (see below).

View thumbnails...

This option demonstrates the quality enhancements of QPix 3 thumbnail commands over other methods, namely by comparing side by side:

  • Thumbnails created with QPix 3's new commands.
  • Thumbnails created with QPix 2's old commands.
  • Thumbnails created with 4D's CREATE THUMBNAIL command.
  • Embedded thumbnails (when present).

Filter image...

Selects an image file and displays the filter window. Uses 4D controls to programmatically apply common filters to the selected image.

Variations...

Opens a 4D window similar to Photoshop's "Variations" window. Demonstrates another use of programmatic access to image filters.

Cropper...

Demonstrates how a plug-in area can be set up to build a custom interface that allows the user to crop an image at specific dimensions.


"Acquisition" menu

The acquisition menu demonstrates the acquisition capabilities of QPix 3:

In addition to the options available under the acquisition menu, the demo database installs a device notification handler (a 4D method). If a device that provides notifications is connected to the machine while the demo is running (for example a digital camera), the demo will automatically display device connection/disconnection messages in the log window.

Acquired images are saved in the "Scans" subfolder inside the "Images" folder next to the database structure file.

 

Acquire Single Image

Selects an acquisition device, and acquires a single image.

Demonstrates the use of the QPx_AcqSelectDevice and QPx_AcqGetSingleImage commands.

Acquire Multiple Images

Selects an acquisition device, and acquires multiple images.

Demonstrates the use of the QPx_AcqSelectDevice and QPx_AcqGetMultipleImages commands.

Acquisition Lab

The acquisition lab window demonstrates all acquisition options available in QPix 3.

There are tabs for all supported protocols, and each tab contains the device list and protocol-specific options.

Use this window to experiment with the new acquisition module.


"Special" menu

Create Multi-Page TIFF

Demonstrates how multi-page TIFF images can be assembled from individual image files.

Create multipage PDF

Demonstrates how multi-page PDF documents can be assembled from individual image files.

Transcode JPEG

Demonstrates the JPEG transcoding capabilities in QPix 3 (lossless rotation and flipping, marker and MCU handling).

Batch operations

Batch-process all images in a folder hierarchy:

  • Convert images to another format with the following options:
    • Export image tags.
    • Export color profiles.
    • Embed thumbnails.
    • Add custom icons (Mac only).
    • Set file dates to Exif dates.
  • Resize images.
  • Change resolution of images.
  • Create thumbnail images.
  • Clear thumbnail images.
  • Set file dates to Exif dates.
  • Add custom icons (Mac only).
  • Clear custom icons (Mac only).
Windows PDF Settings

Specify the location of the AFPL Ghostscript DLL on Windows.


"Database" menu

Image Records

Displays records from the [Images] table in a window. The stored thumbnail is displayed in a plug-in area that is linked to the [Images]Thumb_ field.

Import image

Creates a record in the [Images] table using user defined thumbnail options.


"Window" menu

About QPix...

Displays the QPix about box.

QuickTime Information

Displays QPix's QuickTime Information dialog. Includes lists of available importers, exporters, codecs, filters, and QuickTime's version.

Plug-in Area Properties

Opens a palette window that displays and controls the properties of the plug-in area of the frontmost image viewer window.